Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Heathcote to Audley hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Heathcote to Audley
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
4 Hrs 15 mins
10 km
330 m
One way
1 km SW of Heathcote
Royal National Park
Track: Moderate
Through scrub and heath this track goes into the Royal National Park along a well-managed bushtrack. Passing great pools and sections of creek at Karloo Pools and Ulloola Falls. With great rest spots at both of these places (especially with the toilet at Ulloola) this walk is even more the pleasant. Coming into Audley there are great views of the Hacking River and once at Audley the visitor centre's a good spot to grab a bit to eat.
Bushwalking can be fun and interesting when you are well prepared. Please ensure you and your group are well prepared and equipped for all possible dangers. The authors, staff and owners of wildwalks take care in preparing these notes but do not accept responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury sustained when using these notes. Please take care and feel free to provide feedback through our website. Please note that side trips and alternate routes mentioned in these notes are not included in the tracks overall rating, distance or time estimate. The notes also only describe the side trip and alternate routes in one direction.
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(0 km) Heathcote Railway Station to Int of Wilson Parade and Karloo Track Track: Moderate - road
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -2 m
From Heathcote Station the track heads south-east along Wilson Parade following the railway tracks.Shortly after passing the Rural Firestation the track comes to an intersection with a bushtrack signposted as part of the Royal National Park. This is the Karloo Track.
(0.2 km) Int of Karloo Track and Wilson Pde to Karloo Pools Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 2.6 km
Time = 1 Hrs 5 mins
Climb = 87 m
Descent = -222 m
From the intersection of Wilson Pde and the bushtrack at the large sign saying Royal National Park - Karloo Track the trail heads east away from the road. Shortly after this turns to the north and goes behind the Rural FIrefighting Station. Shortly after this the track turns back to the east and continues along the bushtrack. Gradually this turns to the south and goes slightly dowhill until reaching Heathcote Brook. Just after crossing the brook the track comes to an intersection with another bushtrack. From the intersection the track heads east. This gradually rises onto the ridgeline and there are some reasonably good views over the surrounding valley. The track continues eastin this manner until in the end begins to gradually drop down off the ridge along the slightly rougher bushtrack until reaching Karloo Pools. This would be a good spot to take a break and/or swim.
(2.78 km) Karloo Pools to Uloola Falls Camp Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 2.3 km
Time = 45 mins
Climb = 125 m
Descent = -47 m
From the intersection at the south end of Karloo Pools the track track heads south-east along the bushtrack. After several hundred metres the track passes a sign saying 'Karloo Pools 360m'. From here the track turns more to the south and begins to rise steeply until reaching the ridgeline. Once on the ridge the track follows the yellow markers through the scrub. Approximately halfwaya long this rockshelf section the track passes a small intersection with a disused bushtrack going off to the right. The track follows the ridge until in the last section gradually goes down until crossing Uloola Brook. Shortly after this the track crosses behind Uloola Falls and immediately after enters Uloola Campground.
(5.04 km) Uloola Falls Camp to Int of Uloola Track and Robertson Roundabout Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 4 km
Time = 1 Hrs 10 mins
Climb = 105 m
Descent = -106 m
From the Uloola Falls Campsite the track heads south-east out of the camp and along the bushtrack away from the falls. Gradually the track rises and if you look back it is possible to see Uloola Waterfall through the trees. This continues until the track turns sharply to the north at an intersection with an overgrown and old bushtrack. From here the track climbs slightly onto the ridge and goes north. This section of the track is a mix of bushtrack and rockshelf with spraypainted marks along the track to guide the way. The track contines in this manner until reaching an intersection with a bushtrack going off to the right and downhill. This is signposted as the way to Wattle Forest. From the intersection the track climbs slightly onto the ridge and heads north. Although the scrub and trees hide the views in some sections at various points the ridge is just narrow enough to offer great views on either side without being shrouded by the scrub. The track continues in this manner until coming to an intersection with a bushtrack with a signpost pointing to Uloola Falls. This is also signposted as part of the Robertson Roundabout.
(9.02 km) Int of Uloola Track and Robertson Roundabout to Int of Engadine, Audley and Uloola Tracks Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.6 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -92 m
From the intersection the track heads north along the bushtrack through the scrublands. This continues until the track begins to descend steadily until coming to an intersection with a bushtrack going steeply down the hill signposted as the way to Audley. This intersection is also signposted as part of the Robertson Roundabout.
(9.57 km) Int of Engadine, Audley and Uloola Tracks to Audley Park Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -34 m
From the intersection the track heads steeply down the hill. To make this easier carved rock stairs have been installed along the track. Often, however, these steps have been overgrown by the surrounding scrub. The track continues downhill until emerging into the southern section of Audley. This has several wooden panic benches as well as water and toilets.
(9.71 km) Audley Park to Royal National Park Information Centre Walk: Easy - road
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 11 m
Descent = -4 m
From the end of the bushtrack in the parklands the track heads south across the park until reaching the bridge where it turns left and goes across to the eastern bank of the Hacking River. At this point the track comes to an intersection with an gravel servicetrail. This is Lady Carrington Drive. From the intersection the track heads north along the gravel road. This goes through the parklands, gradually turning to the east and rising before coming to an intersection with Sir Bertram Stevens Drive at the Royal National Park Information Centre.
(9.98 km) Visitor Centre to Ironbark Flat Picnic Area Optional Side Trip: Walk: Easy - footpath
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -8 m
From the Visitor Centre the track passes between the centre and the toilet block down the stairs and onto the grassed clearing of Ironbark Flats.
Hiking near Sydney 
1 km
